Ensuring Health and Nutrition for Children
Being a Non Profit working on child health and nutrition, CRY believes in every child’s right to survival. We understand the critical role that proper nutrition and quality primary healthcare plays in a child’s overall development. Therefore we strive to ensure that no child, regardless of their socio-economic background, suffers from malnutrition or poor health.
Shaping Futures Through Child Health and Nutrition
Access to adequate nutrition and healthcare is essential for children’s physical and cognitive development. CRY America’s projects focus on improving maternal health, combating malnutrition, and ensuring healthcare access of children in vulnerable communities. By supporting child health and nutrition, we are helping children to build a better tomorrow regardless of their socio-economic background.
What we do for Child Health and Nutrition
CRY America works towards improving child health and reducing malnutrition to help children live to their fullest potential. Through initiatives like linking communities with the existing government programs, conducting immunization campaigns, health camps, and doorstep visits, we aim to empower maternal and child health, lower malnutrition rates, and improve vital indicators like infant mortality rates, child mortality rates, and maternal mortality rates.
Our key initiatives
Prenatal & Postnatal Care
The nutrition received in the first 1000 days of children’s lives is crucial as it helps in their physical, mental and cognitive development. Therefore we focus on timely care for expectant and lactating mothers. We connect expecting mothers and their babies to the government healthcare system to ensure quality prenatal care, safe deliveries, and postnatal check-ups for breastfeeding.
Regular Growth Monitoring
Monitoring children’s growth until age 6 ensures healthier childhoods. We promote infant and young child feeding practices, address gender discrimination, and complete immunization schedules through the government healthcare system.
Community-based Nutrition Management
We conduct awareness drives for communities on the importance of proper nutrition, quality healthcare, and timely immunization to bring a lasting generational change in behaviors and attitudes towards children’s health. Our kitchen garden initiative aims to reduce malnutrition in children by enabling communities to grow vegetables and fruits rich in micronutrients.
Child Health and Nutrition Statistics in India
Statistics on Child Health and Nutrition in India
In spite of the progress made in recent years and a large number of Non Profits NGO working to prevent malnutrition in India, the below statistics highlight the need to
2 out of every 5
children in India do not receive complete immunizations
NFHS 4 2015-2016
2 of 3 child deaths
below the age of 5, are caused by malnutrition.
(Source: UNICEF 2019 and ICMR 2019)
Every 3rd
child under 5 years of age in India is severely malnourished
(NFHS 4, 2016)
Our Major Initiatives to Ensure Children's Health and Nutrition
CRY America’s projects continuously work to empower households and communities through sustainable methods to ensure children’s health and nutrition. These efforts not only promote the physical development of children but also support their psychological and cognitive growth, providing them with a healthier future.
Our Programs for Child Health
Anganwadi Centers
Anganwadi Centers
CRY America collaborates closely with Anganwadi centers to identify, track, and monitor the health of undernourished mothers and malnourished children. The project team also ensures the immunization of children at the Anganwadi Centers.
Kitchen gardening practices
Kitchen gardening practices
To keep the mother and the baby healthy and nourished, CRY America projects encourage kitchen gardening practices as a sustainable way ensuring the best care of them.
NRC treatment
NRC treatment
CRY America counsels parents and families of Referring Children with Severely Stunted Growth to National Rehabilitation Centers (NRCs). CRY America counsels parents and families of underweight or severely stunted children and refers them to NRCs.
Learn More About our Work to Ensure Every Child has a Healthy Start in Life
CRY America continuously counsels pregnant women to opt for institutional deliveries to ensure the best care for both the child and the mother.
To ensure the best health for mothers and babies, CRY America’s projects organize health check-ups and children’s immunization drives, along with health check-ups for mothers. For adolescent girls and pregnant women, health check-ups are conducted, and medical aids are provided to anaemic individuals.
CRY America’s projects aim to empower communities to take the best care of pregnant mothers, lactating mothers, and newborns by linking them with existing government programs.
Transforming Lives: Impacted Through Health and Nutrition
CRY America has created an impact on health and nutrition through various project efforts and initiatives.
239,996
0-1 years children fully immunized
137,689
Births registered
142,713
Children covered through health check-ups
43,658
Pregnant women given regular healthcare
7,064
Malnourished children's status improved
Why should you join CRY America
Your valuable contribution to CRY America will help children to complete their education, fulfil their dreams, receive proper nutrition, and stay protected from the risks of child labor and child marriage.
Without your generous support, we cannot continue to meet the needs of underprivileged children. Together, we can shape the future of the next generation, ensuring happier childhoods for every child.
Stories of Hope
Abdul’s road from weakness to wellness
A 2-year-old child, Abdul*, started losing weight seven months after birth. During one of the growth monitoring surveys, CRY America’s project team in Assam identified him as suffering from Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and intervened. The project team ensured his complete vaccination and counseled his family on nutritious eating habits. However, due to a loss of appetite, his condition worsened, and the Growth Monitoring Committee (GMC) decided to refer him to the Nutritional Rehabilitation Center (NRC) after he was diagnosed with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
With the help of the Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM), Anganwadi Workers (AWW), and ASHA workers, the project team counseled Abdul’s hesitant parents to admit him to the NRC. After a doctor at the Primary Health Center (PHC) also counseled the family, they finally agreed. With regular checkups, nutritious food, medicine, and guidance from frontline workers, Abdul’s condition improved, and he fully recovered. He now weighs 10 kg and leads a healthy life with nutritious food habits.
*Name changed and image used for representation purpose only.
Testimonials: Hear from our Biggest Contributors
Yogita Manghnani, Seattle Volunteer: Child marriage takes away a girl’s right to a happy childhood. It forces her to give up her education & family to take on the role of a wife at a very young age. The girl child may not be ready to handle pregnancies, leading to complications for both the mom and baby. She deserves to enjoy her childhood, play and go to school just like a male child; contribute to the family and society at her own terms; choose to marry when she is physically and emotionally ready to build her own family.
I got the inspiration to join CRY from my Dad. His deeds inspired me to give back to the society which led me to volunteer with CRY America, that has made a great impact by providing the basic needs to underprivileged children. I am privileged to be associated with CRY and to help raise funds for its noble cause gives me a great sense of achievement. It is the smiles on the faces of these children that keeps me going and inspires me to continue serving them through CRY.
“Children should have a busy life – playing with friends, eating healthy food, studying, growing themselves creatively and intellectually and showered with love. Instead, when children are asked to earn a living for themselves and their families, they’re robbed of their basic human rights. We feel that for the cost of a birthday party a year, you could change the future of a child. Then why not?”
“CRY is a one of a kind NGO that embraces a holistic approach providing health, education, and nutrition to ensure a safer and better future for children in India. We are touched by the breadth and level of commitment of its volunteers, donors and partners. It is an honor to serve with CRY in our own little way.”
“Educating a child has a profound ripple effect. Not only will it improve a child’s life but that of its family, community and country leading to the overall enrichment of mankind.”
“What makes CRY America special is the drive and the genuineness of the volunteer team, year after year. By adopting projects themselves, some of these volunteers have put their money where their mouth is. Thank you CRY America for making giving so easy and impactful.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is child health and nutrition important?
Child health and nutrition lays the foundation for a child’s physical, mental, and emotional development. Proper nutrition ensures healthy growth, boosts immunity, and prevents diseases, while also supporting cognitive function and learning abilities. Malnutrition, on the other hand, can lead to stunted growth, developmental delays, and long-term health issues. A well-nourished child is more likely to succeed academically, socially, and in life, contributing to stronger communities and the nation at large.
How do donations help improve child health?
Your donation helps us drive awareness campaigns and organize health check-up camps for CRY America projects which are working to improve the health and nutrition of underprivileged children and undernourished mothers in the community.
What is the impact of my donation on child health?
Your donation enables us to run awareness campaigns and organize health check-up camps for CRY America projects, supporting the health and nutrition of underprivileged children and undernourished mothers in the community.
Are donations to child health organizations tax-deductible?
CRY America is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, meaning all donations to CRY America are tax-deductible. Please note, however, that these 501(c)(3) tax exemption receipts are applicable only for U.S. residents and cannot be used to claim tax deductions outside the United States.
Awards & Recognitions
Top 100 Nonprofits In The World – Recognized By The Elders (Founded by Nelson Mandela)
Recognized With The GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency
India Philanthropy Alliance
New York State Assembly- Honoring Child Rights and You America.
